Chapter 5 (Part 5)

As she sank into pleasant memories, her body grew languid. A fragrant breeze, mixing the scent of flowers and the sea, gently swept over her head. The clear sunlight pleasantly warmed her skin.

Even the voices of Nancy, shouting energetically in the distance, and Roberta, fervently correcting her, seemed a peaceful part of this paradise.

“Anything else you’re curious about?”

Tenus matched her gaze as he closed the ledger. It seemed that the serene atmosphere of the garden affected not only Sellakia, as Tenus appeared more relaxed than usual.

In the bright sunlight, his hair sparkled to the point of transparency, and his deep blue eyes, with their sharpness subdued, appeared almost gentle. Seeing them again, they looked less like a terrifying abyss and more like lapis lazuli crafted by an artisan.

“Tell me about the retainers.”

Perhaps that was why. Even though she thought she should let him go, Sellakia suddenly made such a request. For some reason, it felt like Tenus would listen to whatever she said.

“To cross the sea safely, you must know the waves.”

At her added words, Tenus blinked as if surprised, then curled his lips into a smile.

“You’re quite diligent.”

“I want to do well.”

“It wasn’t something you were looking forward to.”

“Still, I want to do well. It’s the first time I’ve taken on such a significant role.”

It must have been the gentle breeze stirring her heart. Sellakia belatedly pressed her lips together, which were moving on their own. She hadn’t intended to show her sincerity so plainly.

Tenus’s enigmatic gaze made her feel even more embarrassed. Sellakia rolled her eyes and then slammed the table with a bang, issuing a threat.

“So cooperate, quickly.”

“No need to be aggressive. Everyone will treat you favorably.”

“Me?”

Sellakia scoffed cynically, but Tenus was confident.

“Still, knowing their names and characteristics won’t hurt. Shall we start with the Pinter Baronet family, which you’re familiar with?”

“Sir Mark Pinter’s family?”

“Yes. Mark’s father is Baron Pinter. He’s rigid and stiff, but he’s a man of loyalty. Being the oldest retainer family, their heritage is quite remarkable.”

Sellakia nodded, taking in Tenus’s words. She seemed to understand why Tenus trusted Mark and entrusted him with work.

“Baron Colby is like an old raccoon, but there’s no need to take him seriously. His close friends, the Damanian Viscount couple, are…… quite talkative. Very much so.”

Tenus rubbed his temples as if recalling something, showing a slightly weary expression.

“They come and go from the capital as if it’s their garden and are well-versed in social circles. They’re a useful source of information. They’re not difficult to deal with, but be cautious of their eloquence. If you have tea time with them, a day won’t be enough.”

Avoid tea time with the Damanian Viscount couple.

Sellakia particularly noted that caution and listened attentively to Tenus’s continued words.

Tenus, who had been reciting the characteristics of the retainers as if reading from a book, suddenly paused.

“Finally, Countess Sov…”

“Countess Sov? Why?”

It was the first time Tenus hesitated to speak.

Sellakia became irresistibly curious about the identity of the person who had stopped his words. Tenus answered, rubbing his neck.

“She doesn’t like me.”

Sellakia’s eyes, filled with curiosity, now gleamed with a different meaning.

It was a clear sign of interest.

Countess Sov.

Sellakia engraved that name at the top of the list of countless retainers she had memorized. Though she didn’t know her face, for some reason, she felt they would get along very well.

“You like her.”

Tenus, as if seeing through her thoughts, casually remarked. Sellakia feigned innocence.

“She must be a very insightful person.”

Tenus narrowed his eyes and then burst into a light laugh. It was a laugh that felt more pleasant than unpleasant.

Sellakia unknowingly joined in the laughter and then exclaimed briefly.

“Oh, right. I’m supposed to meet Young Master Pyregen tomorrow. We’re meeting in the square, so I plan to go out.”

She didn’t have an obligation to report to Tenus, and he probably wasn’t interested, but it seemed like the right thing to do. Tenus slightly furrowed his brows but nodded as expected.

Sellakia, seizing the opportunity, asked for confirmation.

“You told me before that you’d give me the same rights as you. Does that apply outside the Dukedom as well?”

“Even if you cross the sea and reach the land of the dead, it remains unchanged.”

It was an unequivocal answer. Though it was the affirmation she had hoped for, Sellakia hugged her arms and shivered. She couldn’t help but be overwhelmed whenever Tenus spoke like that.

The smile on Tenus’s lips deepened. Sellakia glared at his smug face before shifting her gaze to the gently swaying bushes beside her.

Amid the dense foliage of the flowerbed, a small figure lay curled up. It was the cat she had seen before.

“Oh!”

Sellakia inadvertently exclaimed. At that moment, Tenus’s gaze followed hers. Sellakia quickly asked to divert his attention.

“Aren’t you going?”

“What?”

“You’re busy. You should go now.”

Tenus’s eyes, which had been directed towards the cat, turned back to Sellakia. She swallowed a sigh of relief and gestured towards the mansion.

“Are you telling me to leave because I’ve served my purpose?”

“Oh my. Did you hear that? My inner thoughts.”

Tilting his head askew, Tenus didn’t hide his displeasure. However, perhaps because he truly couldn’t delay any longer, he stood up without further ado.

“Take Belfona tomorrow when you go out.”

“Of course. I won’t forget Sir Pinter either.”

When she specifically mentioned Mark, Tenus cast his gaze somewhere. It was the top of a tree with thick branches nearby.

It wasn’t behind the tree but above it.

As she absorbed this new fact, Tenus had already moved far away. His demeanor was indifferent, not even offering a farewell glance.

“Well, taking the time to teach me the ledger was exceptional.”

Sellakia pouted her lips, but she didn’t take her eyes off Tenus as he disappeared into the mansion. And as soon as he was completely out of sight, she called for Nancy.

Nancy, who had been swinging the wooden sword without rest, was drenched in sweat. Sellakia wiped the sweat from Nancy’s forehead with her sleeve.

“Nancy, could you go to the kitchen and bring some food suitable for a cat?”

Nancy, blushing and receiving Sellakia’s touch, nodded.

“Has the cat come again? Yes! Please wait a moment. I’ll be back in a flash.”

“The cat doesn’t seem like it’s going to run away, so take your time. You can have a snack and rest a bit without Belfona noticing. I’m worried you might wear yourself out.”

Sellakia whispered, glancing at Roberta. Nancy giggled.

“It’s so fun that I don’t even feel tired. I’ll be right back, Madam. Please wait a little!”

Nancy answered energetically and hurried her steps. Watching Nancy’s back, unable to scheme, Sellakia cautiously approached the cat.

Roberta, upon spotting the cat, had already taken three steps back, feigning indifference.

The cat, lying insolently, thumped its tail against the ground as Sellakia came into view. It seemed quite displeased but didn’t get up to run away.

Sellakia chuckled.

“Do you like me or not?”

“…”

“Are you staying because of the food, even though I’m a bother?”

“…”

“Do you dislike me but like the food?”

The cat, of course, didn’t answer.

With its gray fur, dark eyes, and aloof demeanor.

Indeed, this cat resembled Tenus.

That’s why she didn’t want Tenus to see the cat.

Even though he might already know about the cat through Roberta or Mark’s reports, seeing it with his own eyes was different.

Tenus was unlikely to feel any emotion upon seeing the cat. He probably wouldn’t.

Even thinking that, Sellakia found it hard to suppress her guilty feelings.

* * *

Thud.

The thick glass window made a dull sound. Aldrich’s fierce face, having lost his temper and punched the window, was reflected on its shiny surface.

“Look at that sight!”

Aldrich pointed outside the window, towards the splendid, even extraordinary, garden of the Seidon Dukedom. It encompassed the grandeur of nature, as if a forest had been transplanted, and meticulous aesthetics. There, a couple who naturally drew attention from afar had taken their place.

The ones sharing a table intimately were undoubtedly Tenus and Sellakia.

“Didn’t you assure me you could separate them! You can’t even imagine the humiliation I’ve suffered yesterday and today. You, you lowly thing!”

Aldrich turned, glaring at the person standing respectfully with hands clasped.

Amy bowed her head immediately. Her face, staring at the floor, was filled with annoyance. However, a voice rich with appeal flowed from her open mouth.

“But, Sir Logue. I feel wronged. You didn’t give me any hint about another escort besides that tall escort.”

“That was…… something I didn’t know either.”

“How could I, a lowly person, know what even you didn’t, Lord Logue? So it’s hard to say this is entirely my fault. If only the knight from the Pinter family hadn’t appeared, the victory would have been ours.”

Her barely concealed irritation seeped into her words. Aldrich’s filthy breathing grew louder. Amy added skillfully, with a habitual demeanor.

“I believe that, unlike uneducated me, you, Lord Logue, are wise and will understand.”

“…”

“Please teach me with the wisdom you use to wisely govern the Seidon Dukedom, Lord Logue. The upcoming banquet is undoubtedly an opportunity for us.”

Aldrich coughed and subdued his angry spirit. It seemed he never tired of the daily flattery fed to him.

Indeed. Where else would that fool hear such praise?

Aldrich Logue was someone who couldn’t even gain the trust of the uneducated servants.

While wearing a servile face, Amy inwardly scorned Aldrich sharply.

“During the retainer meeting…… there will be many people coming and going, so don’t come to me. Be especially careful.”

“…”

“This is the last chance I am giving you. Wasn’t it because you failed to properly handle Sellakia that this mess occurred?”

Once again, Aldrich didn’t mention how exactly Sellakia should be dealt with.

At first, Amy suspected it was a ploy to cut her off, but now she knew the reason. Aldrich simply wasn’t smart enough.

His nerves were as frail as his emaciated body. During the retainer meetings, he didn’t even dare step outside his room.

Stupid, pathetic, weak human.

That’s why he’s good.

Because he’s someone even a lowly person like her can use.

Amy bowed deeply to hide her emerging smile.

“I will definitely repay the grace you have shown me, Lord Logue. Please trust me this time!”

“You better. If you fail again, you won’t be seeing me in the office like this, but in the underground prison…”

It was then.

The office door suddenly opened without warning.

Amy quickly grabbed the rag she had put down and pretended to clean the nearby bookshelf. Glancing sideways, she saw Aldrich frozen in the same position he had been, looking at her. It was a behavior that reeked of suspicion to anyone.

That fool!

She almost threw the rag at his disgusting face.

“A maid was cleaning.”

As she controlled her rising anger and focused on cleaning, a low voice wrapped around her ears.

“I heard voices, so I thought there was a guest.”

It was Tenus Seidon, the owner of this mansion, with his cunning beauty.

Amy turned to greet him, answering in place of Aldrich, who couldn’t say anything.

“You must have heard Lord Logue ask me to bring water. I was just about to finish cleaning this shelf and go.”

“Who are you?”

“…Pardon?”

“An unfamiliar face.”

The expression on Amy’s face, who was inwardly admiring her quick thinking, cracked.

You don’t know me? ……Seidon?